May 2026 Picture of the Month

Taken on a trip to Barrow Hill Roundhouse near Chesterifeld last year, this is one of more than 200 images in my recently-published book Cast Metal Signs – an unsung history published i softback by Whittles publishing last month, priced at £15.99. Cast-iron 'catch points' signs could once be found widely across the rail network, marking where there was an escape track if a locomotive's brakes failed, or there was some other need to quickly get if off the running line. The typography of this sign is typical of that used by the Midland Railway. Canon 5D MkIV, 24-105mm zoom lens at 28mm.